HiGH SPEED RAIL will attract inward investment into Crewe and will help improve productivity of existing businesses - says the chairman of HS2.

Sir David Higgins recently met with Cheshire East Council leader Rachel Bailey and business leaders at Crewe’s £11m UTC campus and said that he was impressed by tangible signs that Crewe is preparing to be ‘HS2 ready’

The meeting in Crewe came amidst a new HS2 survey among Cheshire and Warrington businesses and organisations who say improved connectivity can drive productivity growth and closing the gap between the best and worst performing areas

Drawing on evidence from over 100 employers, local authorities and universities across the UK, HS2: Getting the best out of Britain, highlights the regional strengths of highly skilled manufacturing clusters, universities and research centres, and cutting edge technology entrepreneurs, but warns that more needs to be done to draw them together and realise their full potential in the modern economy.

Sir David Higgins chairman of HS2 Ltd

David Higgins, Chairman of HS2 Ltd said: “This report is the evidence that HS2 will boost productivity in the north and midlands. This is a once in a generation opportunity to join up and amplify the many centres of excellence around the country, as we prepare to exit the European Union.

“By improving the connectivity between our major population centres HS2 will give business access to the skills, labour and services they need to change the economic geography of the country.”

The report shows that world-leading skills and research in the Midlands and the North can match that of London and the South East. Cities and regions in the Midlands and North account for 32% of the UK’s research staff working in universities with high quality research, compared to 35% in London and the South East.

The North West is home to over 7 million people and around 3.5 million jobs. However, overall the region’s productivity is 90% of the UK average.

But with 40% of its working age population qualified to degree level or higher Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership area is the alone in the North West in being above of the national average (37%).

Cheshire and Warrington has strengths in advanced engineering, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy and environment, and financial and professional services. Bentley Motors is headquarted in Crewe, 6,500 people are employed in life sciences and pharmaceuticals and over 7,000 firms operate in the financial and professional services sector.

HS2 say opportunities afforded by new high-speed rail links are at the heart of business and economic planning.

Crewe-based chief executive of Radius Bill Holmes said: “When I set up Radius nearly 30 years ago my choice of office location was driven around being close to the M6. As a fast growing international business Manchester Airport is critical to how we support our expansion efforts overseas.

“London has grown in importance for us as we have wanted access the banking and investment community. I believe HS2 will effectively “turbocharge” all three of these geographical factors both for us and the growing number of companies setting up and developing in the local area.”

HS2 will serve around 30m people and directly serve 25 stations, joining up the dots between where we are now, and where we could get to as a country - a combination of more capacity and better connectivity will improve accessibility, and, therefore, productivity in the Midlands and the North – at the same time as easing the pressure on London.

Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport said: “This study clearly shows transport investment is crucial to a strong and resilient economy. That’s why we are investing in all forms of transport including the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century to improve services for passengers – providing faster and better trains with more seats.

“As Britain’s new railway, HS2 will deliver vital links between some of our country’s biggest cities, driving economic growth and productivity and helping to deliver the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

“By bringing our major cities, regions and communities closer together we are encouraging business and innovation and building a Britain that is fit for the future with a stronger economy and fairer society.”

Cheshire East local authority recently published its HS2 Masterplan Vision for Crewe to drive local economic growth on the back of HS2’s arrival and harness the potential from the development of a hub station.